We are a nation of dog lovers, but not every breed is the same.
While the majority of dog breeds in the UK are loyal and good natured, there are some exceptions.
The SSPCA says there's no hard evidence that one breed is more aggressive than another. They believe any dog can be potentially out of control and dangerous in the wrong hands.
However certain types have the potential to cause fatal injuries should they be untrained and left to act on what was bred into them.
The Dangerous Dogs Act came into force in 1991, banning four breeds and condemning thousands to death on their birth.
In the UK, it's against the law to own certain types of dog. According to the legislation, these are:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
Over 30 years on from the ban, evidence suggests it has not worked, with attacks at a record high.
The SSPCA claim the law is outdated and every year it is forced to put dogs to sleep who have never harmed anyone, on the instruction of a court.
It comes as An expert trainer has warned people against buying a Belgian Malinois - and predicts it will be the next breed added to the UK's list of banned dangerous dogs.
Jacob Morgan worried this particular breed could become anxious and lash out at their owners if not looked after correctly.
Becky Thwaites, head of public affairs at animal welfare charity Blue Cross, said: "Many dogs that are seized as illegal breeds are in fact well-behaved dogs with responsible owners, who just have the misfortune to have the wrong measurements."
"Nearly as many dogs - not banned breeds - were seized under section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act as under section 1 last year for being dangerously out of control, highlighting how important it is for government to change the legislative focus from what a dog looks like to dealing with irresponsible owners of any breed of dog to keep our communities safe."
New data has revealed an increase in children under the age of 15 having to attend hospital for dog-related injuries between April 2021 and March 2022. Up 7.5 per cent to 1,516, this is the second highest figure since records began in 2007.
It is against the law to sell, abandon, give away or breed from a banned dog.
Government guidance states that, whether your dog is a banned type depends on what it looks like, rather than its breed or name.
If your dog matches many of the characteristics of a Pit Bull Terrier, it may be a banned type. This means a dog could simply be put down should it look a certain way.
However, there is a little-known exemption. A dog which looks like a banned breed is allowed to live, should it pass a court behavioural assessment and prove it can live happily and peacefully in the community.
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